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British arms industry sets sights on AFP modernization

MANILA - The British arms industry wants to supply the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) with state-of-the-art weaponry.UK Ambassador Stephen Lillie told reporters on Monday night that two British business delegations are in town to explore trade opportunities here.An eight-person delegation active in the aid-funded business sector will meet with the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) to explore opportunities linked to the regional lender's projects not only in the Philippines but also across Asia.Cheryl Boxall, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Aid-funded Business Service Project manager, said the group is interested in agriculture, education, health, mining, power, public transportation, among others.Thirteen British companies in the defense sector are also in Manila following earlier discussions with the DND. The delegation will meet with officials of the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the two-day UK Defence and Technology Event that starts today."The DND is engaged in a very big modernization program. We're looking at this opportunity. We have a very strong defense industry in the UK. We want to showcase what the UK can do," Lillie said.The British ambassador said the wide range of defense equipment and technologies made and developed in the UK are of good quality, "high-tech" and have value for money.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ben Arnold O. De Vera | InterAksyon.com | March 19, 2013 | Article Link

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More Philippine Defense News

The modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was on a roll this year, as we've seen a few big ticket items having completely delivered this year. Game changers as they say, these new assets have proven their capabilities both in combat and humanitarian missions.

Here's a brief on everything what we know about the AFP modernization this 2017.

Philippine Air Force
FA-50PH

The final batch of the FA-50PH Lead-In Fighter Trainers have been successfully delivered by the Korean Aerospace Industries last May. The last batch of 2 arrived on May 31st at Clark Air Base. The contract consist of 12 FA-50's at the price of Php 18.9 billion. AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla mentioned on a March 23 article in Inquirer that there are plans to purchase 6 more additional FA-50's if the funding allows it and if the performance is good.

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